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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 17, 2000 · Schleicher AS20 · N59WM

Coleville, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 17, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Coleville, CA
Aircraft
Schleicher AS20
Tail Number
N59WM
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX00LA232

The commercial glider pilot reported that after departing Truckee-Tahoe airport by tow, he lost lift and decided to make a precautionary landing in a field. Upon learning that there was a soaring club located nearby, he made contact with the club and requested an airplane tow out of the field. During the tow operation the tow plane collided with a fence. The sailplane released, overflew the tow plane by 2 to 4 feet, traveled across a road, and collided with another fence.

NTSB Probable Cause

the tow plane pilot's inadequate airplane performance calculations.

Full Narrative

On June 17, 2000, about 1430 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schleicher AS20, N59WM, collided with a fence on an aero tow takeoff from a dirt field near Coleville, California. The sailplane, owned and operated by the commercial pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The commercial glider pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The cross-country recreational flight originated from Truckee-Tahoe, California, airport at 1230. After the tow takeoff from Truckee-Tahoe airport, the pilot reported that he lost lift and decided to make a precautionary landing in a field. Upon learning that there was a soaring club located nearby, he made contact with the club and requested an airplane tow out of the field. During the takeoff the tow plane collided with a fence. The sailplane released, overflew the tow plane by 2 to 4 feet, traveled across a road, and collided with another fence.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchleicher AS20
Tail NumberN59WM
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point17 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data